A Eulogy for 2008

2009 is a different world.

What really changes anyway? Years are just human constructs that enable us to keep track of time, because we are aware that as each second goes by, we are letting go of forever. Things are important only because they are never forever (except, of course, the concept of forever itself). So we mark the years because some things, some people, are important. And if no one, no one thing is important, then what do we have to keep track of time for?

In an hour, 2008 will become a different world.

To it, I say goodbye. Goodbye to memories. Goodbye to lessons learned. Goodbye to people, friends, teachers, who painfully remind us that nobody lives forever. It is to them we say goodbye, so they can journey on to forever. From them, we catch a glimpse of this forever that's ironically ephemeral.

I have been blessed by your generosity of spirit that never asked for anything in return. I thank you. Our lives will go on. How ironic. How selfish of me to question why the world is not stopping. Well, why should it? After all, you are not the only important person to have lived.

I cry because I am selfish. I smile because I am grateful. We will all move on, with a part of us missing, but overall, enriched by every little thing that you've done, enriched by this very magnificent thing that was your life.

Goodbye to the gift of your life.